Merchant City Medical Group offers surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, from our state of the art clinics throughout the UK & Europe.

BLEPHAROPLASTY – AFTERCARE INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

This leaflet provides general guidance to help you understand what to expect after your eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). Recovery varies from person to person, so your experience may differ slightly.

ARRANGE A CONSULTATION

Before You Leave Hospital

MEDICATIONS

You will be given pain relief and antibacterial ointment as directed before discharge. Most patients find the pain is non-existent to very mild. The first night you might feel achy, but you should NOT have severe pain. If you have severe pain especially on one side you need to contact us or out of hours go to A&E. This occurs extremely rarely but you should be aware.

EYE CARE

The surgeon may apply small wound strips. These need to stay in place until your one week appointment, if they fall out let us know and send us photographs to give you the appropriate advice. This is very important.

TRANSPORT

Please arrange for someone to take you home, as you should not drive immediately after surgery.

When You Get Home

General Expectations

  • It is normal for your eyelids to look swollen or bruised. It can vary hugely, but be prepared it can look dramatic to you, but it will improve. Try not to be alarmed.
  • The appearance in the first few days is not how they will look once healed.
  • Tightness, watering, mild blurring from ointment, and light sensitivity are common.

Pain and Swelling

  • Mild discomfort is expected and usually improves within a few days.
  • During the first couple of nights it might help to use cold compresses (no ice) on the area for a few minutes a time.
  • Keeping your head elevated while resting can help reduce swelling.
  • Bruising often peaks around day 2–3 and then gradually fades. Most patients will see a dramatic improvement in bruising at the end of the first week and almost definitely at the end of the second week.

Wound Care & Hygiene

  • Keep the area clean and dry unless advised otherwise. If the steri-strips (dressings) get accidentally wet just gently pat dry over them with a clean towel.
  • Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
  • You may clean gently around the area with cooled boiled water.

After Eyelid Surgery

  • Slight blurring may occur due to swelling or ointment. If this is long-lasting or associated with pain please let us know as soon as possible or go to A&E if it is out of hours. 
  • Avoid activities that require sharp vision until your sight feels clear. 
  • Contact lenses should not be worn for two weeks —usually after the incisions have healed.

please wash your hair the night before or the day of surgery. You cannot wash your hair until 7 days post surgery due to suture removal.

Avoid strenuous activity and gym for 4-6 weeks post surgery

please avoid for 6 weeks

wait for 4 weeks and start massaging with a simple moisturiser, such as e45 cream.

avoid flying outside of the UK for 6 weeks after the procedure. Within the UK 2 weeks.

avoid having contacts with your pets to reduce chance of infection.

  • Most patients take 1–2 weeks off work, depending on swelling and comfort and their job. 
  • Bruising may be visible for up to 10–14 days.
  • Make-up should not be applied until the wounds are fully healed and stitches have dissolved or been removed.
  • Bruising and swelling
  • Pink or slightly lumpy scars especially the ones on the sides of the eyelid they take longer to soften and become less pink (which soften over time)
  • Mild dryness or watering
  • Feeling tired or emotional while recovering

These usually improve steadily over the first few weeks.

  • Most swelling settles by 2–4 weeks.
  • Scars continue to soften and fade over several months.
  • Protect the eyelids from sun exposure using sunglasses and SPF once healed.
  • We give you a 6 week and 6 month appointment. But if you have concerns in the meantime do not hesitate to contact us.

If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery, please contact the clinic.

If you have young children which are unwell please postpone the procedure to reduce the risk of infection.

Follow-Up Appointment

You will have a follow-up appointment arranged around 1 week after the procedure. Your sutures will be removed then and you will be given advice on scar management depending on your healing process.

When to Seek Medical Advice

These are extremely rare, but please contact the clinic urgently/ or if out of hours A&E if you experience:
  • Sudden severe swelling or bruising especially on one side. .
  • Increasing redness, warmth, or discharge from the wounds
  • Fever or feeling unwell
  • Vision changes that worry you (e.g., loss of vision, severe pain, double vision)
  • Side effects from medication such as rash, nausea, headache, or vomiting.
  • A temperature above 38°C.
  • Bleeding that does not stop
  • Severe or worsening pain not helped by medication

Excellence Record

Merchant City Medical Group is proud to be one of the leading providers of Hair Transplant Surgeries and Medical Aesthetics within the UK and Europe. With our extensive team of expert surgeons, nurse practitioners and consultants, you will be met with the utmost dedication and compassion throughout your journey with us.
  • 30+ Years of combined experience
  • 10 + Experts
  • 1000 + Satisfied Patients

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Cosmetic Procedure Screening Questionnaire

It can be used as a screening questionnaire to tell whether you might have BDD.

1) How often do you do you deliberately check your feature(s)? Not accidentally catch sight of it. Please include looking at your feature in a mirror or other reflective surfaces like a shop window or looking at it directly or feeling it with your fingers.
2) To what extent do you feel your feature(s) are currently ugly, unattractive or ‘not right’?
3) To what extent does your feature(s) currently cause you a lot of distress?
4) How often does your feature(s) currently lead you to avoid situations or activities?
5) To what extent does your feature(s) currently preoccupy you? That is, you think about it a lot and it is hard to stop thinking about it?
6) If you have a partner, to what extent does your feature(s) currently have an effect on your relationship with an existing partner? (e.g. affectionate feelings, number of arguments, enjoying activities together). If you do not have a partner, to what extent does your feature(s) currently have an effect on dating or developing a relationship?
7) To what extent does your feature(s) currently interfere with your ability to work or study, or your role as a homemaker? (Please rate this even if you are not working or studying: we are interested in your ability to work or study.)
8) To what extent does your feature(s) currently interfere with your social life? (with other people, e.g. parties, pubs, clubs, outings, visits, home entertainment)
9) To what extent, do you feel your appearance is the most important aspect of who you are?

Do I have BDD?

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

You have scored 0

When you score more than 40 points, this is an indication that you likely have Body Dysmorphic Disorder. However, this is not a formal diagnosis. This test can also be used after a treatment to see if symptoms have improved.

What now?

For more information on BDD and support, you can contact us.

If you are a UK resident, we suggest:

    • reaching out to your GP for more help
    • self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies.

When speaking to a health professional, you may present your clinic history or a printed form to clearly outline the symptoms you’ve experienced.